Indications coming out of Washington appear to show that the newly elected Republican leader is looking to secure a new and improved relationship with Britain, putting it at the front of the queue over any trade deals.

This looks to be at the expense of any such deal with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the unofficial power behind the European Union throne.

Signals coming out of Germany are that officials are frustrated at being left on the sideline by Mr Trump and they are unable to even open lines of communication with the new White House administration.

AFP

Prime Minister Theresa May in the House of Commons

I think we have to prepare for a rough ride

German Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel

One advisor to Mrs Merkel said: “None of us here believe that anymore.

“The Americans, and the world, will get the Trump they elected.”

Sigmar Gabriel, the German Vice Chancellor, commented after the US inauguration that the country might now have to look to Asia in terms of a new economic strategy should the US impose its threatened protectionist policies.

Hanging in the balance is the future of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) deal with Mr Gabriel speculating to a German TV channel: “I think we have to prepare for a rough ride.”

He added: “He means it [protectionist policies] extremely seriously. What we heard today were high nationalist tones.”

Our pick of the top key moments so far for the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump.

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US President Donald Trump delivers remarks after signing five executive orders related to the oil pipeline industry in the oval office of the White House in Washington, DC, USA

The move comes after White House spokesman Sean Spicer commented on the “special relationship” between the US and UK.

He said: "I think we have always had that special relationship with Britain and that reflects in the Prime Minister's first visit here.

AFP

German Chancellor Angela Merkel could be sidelined by Donald Trump

"He had a great conversation and he looks forward to having her here and we can always be closer."

It has also been reported that Mr Trump has privately referred to the UK Prime Minister as “my Maggie” in reference to the close relationship between the former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and President Ronald Reagan.